Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Children's books

Join in for children's book recommendations.

Books to read aloud at bedtime to a 7yo DD and 5 year old DS>?

38 replies

DarrellRivers · 27/09/2010 14:18

Am trying to encourage DS that reading is fun.
So many books seem girl-centric or badly written if aimed at boys, for example the Ben10 books are so boring.
(This book needs to be good so I enjoy it)

We started with some of the Puffin series of 'Stories for 4 year olds' and 'Stories for 5 year olds', which were good , but have found that a whole book is better for getting involved with the characters.

So we have started reading a book together at bedtime and we have enjoyed
Gobbolino the Witch's Cat and Charlotte's Web greatly.

I was thinking perhaps 'The Horse and his Boy' next, but need some good reading aloud books with preferably a male or feisty female hero.
(DD too fond of Disney princesses so needs an injection of gumption)

Any suggestions gratefully received

OP posts:
DarrellRivers · 27/09/2010 14:31

come on you avid readers

OP posts:
DarrellRivers · 27/09/2010 14:43

Last lunchtime bump

OP posts:
Scootergrrrl · 27/09/2010 14:49

We have been working our way through the Mr Men books, Pippi Longstocking and the Farway Tree. Just about to start on the Famous Five with princess obssessed DD who is 6.

Scootergrrrl · 27/09/2010 14:50

And what's wrong with the Mallory Towers books Wink ?

DarrellRivers · 27/09/2010 14:53

Pippi Longstocking- great suggestion

YYY to Mallory Towers- keep trying to get DD onto Enid Blyton, she has not caught yet

I will look for my old copy of the Faraway Tree at home

OP posts:
BadgersArse · 27/09/2010 14:54

you want seperate books

Scootergrrrl · 27/09/2010 14:55

But then you have to spend twice as long reading to the little darlings....Grin

BadgersArse · 27/09/2010 15:01

yes

i did three sep stories always
am good mum
you are shoddy

DarrellRivers · 27/09/2010 15:05

'Not enough caring from mummy'
Official complaint already been lodged to father!

No, used to read 2 stories, can't be arsed.
Want one long story

Right off to pick up.
Will expect some more contributions from y'all when I get back, apart from accusations of being shoddy

OP posts:
cidre · 27/09/2010 15:06

5 chidren and it?
Secret garden?
Faraway tree/wishing chair/famous 5, secret 7 etc
sorry about capitals,keyboard playing up

cidre · 27/09/2010 15:07

Oh, Horrid Henry too

edinburger · 27/09/2010 15:07

what about 101 dalmations? The secret Garden, Stig of the dump Judy Blume ones for younger children such as the Superfudge stories. I loved all of those as a child.

ShatnersBassoon · 27/09/2010 15:08

Roald Dahl must have been mentioned already?

BadgersArse · 27/09/2010 15:08

i dont htink though DR that story time is onyl about hte story
its about one on one time and sharing
dont be such an idle fucker

two stories is what ...20 mins?

DarrellRivers · 27/09/2010 16:18

ok, i will see if they want separate stories
(Although they seem to love being read to together)

DD already reads Horrid Henry and Rainbow Magic (eurgh) by the bucketload

So, if boy only story, I need more suggestions, adventure, intrigue, magic etc

I suppose Harry Potter might be worth a try as well

OP posts:
jamaisjedors · 27/09/2010 16:24

one each but not ness separate?

The DSs choose one each but we read them both together.

madamehooch · 27/09/2010 16:53

Hundred Mile an Hour Dog
Hodgeheg
Mr Gum
Paddington
Sophie books

Will suit boys and girls, content is age appropriate for both and you will not die of boredom.

DarrellRivers · 27/09/2010 17:26

yes, i think they will like still together

paddington is amusing, i will try some of that
Is Sophie from Dick King-Smith?

great, i have a few ideas

Thanks

OP posts:
Bucharest · 27/09/2010 17:36

dd is 7 on Saturday and apart from the Naughtiest Girl (who has lots of boy-friends) and Malory Towers we've started to work our way through the Famous Five and Secret Seven (we may be some time Grin) Carbonel (similar to Gobbolino) 101 Dalmatians and Starlight Barking, The Little Prince (that one whooshed over her head a bit though) and numerous Paddington ones. My friend started with the shortest Harry Potters when her son was 6.

Diana Wynn Jones might be OK as well?

I've got a pile of classics as well but as they are unabridged I've abandoned them for now as I get stopped every 10 words with a "what does that meannnnnn?" (Secret Garden, Railway Children, Wind in the Willows, etc)

StayFrosty · 27/09/2010 17:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DarrellRivers · 27/09/2010 17:53

yyy, justwilliam v funny

And I loved 'The Kingdom of Carbonel'
And was 'Carbonel and Calidor' the sequel?

OP posts:
madamehooch · 27/09/2010 17:56

Sophie is Dick King Smith.

maggiemcc · 27/09/2010 17:58

Hi,Im Maggie,after reading your message, thought I could help.My husband and I self published 2 childrens books a short while ago.Both are colour illustrated throughout. Titles are,, (,The house with no snow)and (Soooperb Spiders).The house with no snow, is about Bullying.The school whimp slowly shows he can over come his fear, and deals with the bully.. Sooooperb Spiders, shows that girls can be strong and assertive, while boys can be sensitive. Both are exciting adventure stories.If you pay for the postage I will send you them free.It would be helpful if you visited my facebook page, and shared it with your friends if your child is happy with the books.

Graciescotland · 27/09/2010 18:03

Dr Seuss, fun to read, fun to listen to :)

Bucharest · 27/09/2010 18:04

There are 3 Carbonel books- the last one is Carbonel and Calidor, still got to do that one.

Swipe left for the next trending thread